When I talk about creating a culture of reading in South Africa I often recall a trip I made to Europe.

I had some free time and decided to make a two-hour train trip to see Paris.

I was expecting to meet some interesting people on the train and perhaps have a few conversations, but once I was on board I realised I was extremely ill-prepared for the two-hour journey.

As soon as the train started everybody pulled out a book and began to read.

The young ones took out their kindles and e-readers, the older folk, around my age, whipped out their hard copies or paperbacks, but absolutely everyone on that train was reading a book.

It made me recall trips I had taken on trains at home. Inevitably, someone would be touched by the Holy Spirit and begin a sermon. Others would sing throughout the journey.

Taking out a book and reading was not something you would regularly see on a South African train trip.

Reading with understanding and enjoyment is so important in education if we want to be truly globally competitive, not only does reading improve knowledge it also fuels imagination, creativity and innovation.

Literacy has an influence on society in several ways. Literate parents are more likely to send their children to school. Literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities, and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development needs.

So I can confidently say that "A Reading Nation is a Leading Nation".

Research indicates that throughout the world, school education systems are focusing on literacy and numeracy initiatives to improve pupil performance and learning outcomes.

A pupil's ability to read, write and calculate is considered a vital tool in the pursuit of success in particular and in managing life in general.

Libraries are seen as a key lever in education achievements because they provide access to reading materials, space for reading and pursuance of literacy endeavours.

Libraries are essential to the promotion of reading and almost critical to the improvement of literacy. We are making a call to action to all different sectors of society to partner with us in making this a reality.

We have already joined hands with many of our stakeholders and corporate benefactors who have generously agreed to come on board in providing needy schools with libraries and books.

We are indeed mindful of the wonderful work already done by business, NGOs, communities and individuals who have volunteered to establish or refurbish school libraries and classroom library corners, but we can all get involved in our own small way.

But we continue to call on members of the public and corporates to collect books to donate to needy school libraries.

A farmworker's child can be transformed into a leader of tomorrow by cultivating a love and passion for books and reading.

The Department of Basic Education has a four-year plan, "The Reading Promotion and Provision of Library and Information Services (LIS) Plan" that seeks to give impetus to the National Reading Campaign that has set out to provide at least 1000 school libraries a year, from 2015 to 2019.

This includes implementing reading programmes, involving communities in promoting reading, revitalising existing school libraries, and a learnership programme to train youth to be library assistants.

We need to work together as partners in making SA a reading society.

International, regional and national research identifies that support for reading activities, and stimulation for reading and writing in all aspects of society and in our schools in particular, is crucial for deepening literacy and numeracy in developing countries.

Getting young people to read and write for school, for leisure, and even in the world of work, is a critical aspect of the development of the social fabric of our country.

It must occupy all our minds.

lMotshekga is Minister of Basic Education